Jacob Petricka

Petricka was one of the team's top setup men for the season's first few months, and he took over the closer role in late June. The right-hander relies primarily on a sinking fastball that results in a...

Petricka has found new life in the White Sox's system as a reliever. He had been a once-promising starter in the organization's lower levels a few years ago, but his path to the majors became clearer when he became a reliever in 2013. His lack of control was less of an issue in shorter bursts, and he used a mid-90s fastball and plus changeup to post a 1.81 minor league ERA en route to a 16-appearance audition in Chicago. His 134 ERA+ over his 19.1 MLB innings should be good enough to put him in the discussion for a setup role out of camp.

2012

Petricka barreled through three minor league organizations in 2011, and he finished his first full season as a professional at High-A Winston-Salem. His K:BB tumbled to an average 46:26 in 67.2 High-A innings after an impressive 48:13 in 41.2 frames at Low-A Kannapolis, but he still fed his defense a high level of groundballs. Scouts like his mid-90s fastball, but his secondary pitches still need a bit of work. He likely profiles as a mid-rotation starter or bullpen guy, depending on the organization's needs come 2013 or 2014.